A couple of years back I found TA:K in a bargain bin for 3 dollars so I decided to buy it. I found it to be quite possibly the most fun, well balanced, and interesting RTS'es I have played. The game-play is heavily strategic in which you need to construct builder units to make structures. These units require a barracks in order to produce. But, like any good RTS, TA:K made a system where you need to build these structures in mana hot-spots called lodestones. You can build without mana but it's so slow it's practically suicide. You can play as one of four kingdoms each of which has a special ability. The kingdom of Zhon are very good at massing units but have practically no defensive structures. The kingdom of Veruna are very good at producing sea based units but lack in land unit production. The kingdom of Taros are fantastic at building offensive units but lack in defensive units. The kingdom of Aramon are great at building defensive structures but lack in offensive units. These kingdoms are balenced to accustom your play style. If you like making a fortress to protect your precious lode stones then go with Aramon. If you prefer to zerg rush it, then go with the kingdom of Zhon. And if you get bored playing the very smart computer (i'm still getting my ass kicked by the AI) then there is still a thriving multi-player community. Sadly the makers of TA:K, cave-dog studios, have shut down so there official multi-player service is gone which means you'll have to play on a server. If you even have the slightest tinge of strategy then you MUST play Total Annihilation: Kingdoms!
when i first played die by the sword i found myself one of the most entertaining games ever. Now it hasn't aged well. The graphics are bad, the controls are, by today's standards, awful. but the game is AMAZING! even if it has an unconventional control scheme you have to admit slicing up that kolbolt to shreds is without a doubt, one of the most satisfying things to do. Back in my day (god just looking at the graphics and thinking how cool they were makes me feel old) this game was one of the most violent games avalible and i had to get my dad to buy it for me the whole while the clerk was looking at us with utter contempt. She saw the case and said "you would let your boy be corrupted by this filth!?" my dad answered yes! overall its more towards the oldschooler but give it a try maybe you'll write your story like i had when i was little.
when i first heard about enclave on xbox i was very exited. the idea of an origonal rpg gracing one of my favorite consoles in 2004. what i got was an obsessively hard game with nothing to offer. here i get a much more polished game. The problems still remain. The difficulty is still completely unfair and the control have an audible clunk. While a far more improved game i would point you to far better hack and slash titles like divine divinity or die by the sword.
